Victorian schools’ playgrounds to be more inclusive of children with disabilities

More than 50 Victorian schools will receive funding to upgrade and build new inclusive playgrounds, sensory gardens and outdoor learning areas. See if your child’s school is on the list.

Playgrounds at Victorian schools will get a $10 million upgrade to be more inclusive of children with disabilities.

More than 50 special and mainstream schools would share the funding to build sensory gardens, outdoor learning areas and play spaces all children can access.

Other projects include a $200,000 “retreat” classroom to help students reduce anxiety and stress at Frankston High, a $91,000 mindfulness space at Pascoe Vale North Primary and a $200,000 sensory play space and sandpit at Tawonga Primary with edible plants, outdoor music and water play.

Many of the 51 funded schools are looking to install sensory gardens and replace concrete and tan bark with rubber or synthetic surfaces.

Playgrounds at Victorian schools will get a $10 million upgrade to be more inclusive of children with disabilities.

The investment is part of a $40 million Inclusive Schools Fund to help public schools cater for kids with disabilities and additional needs.

Education Minister James Merlino will make the announcement at Mount Waverley North Primary today, which will receive $200,000 for a cushioned sports surface to minimise trip hazards.

Principal Natalie Grieve said the outdoor area would ”mean so much to parents, students and teachers”.

“It will create more usable outdoor sports space so that all students, including those with a disability, can participate and stay active all year round,” she said.

Mr Merlino said the grants were to give “every child the best chance to meet their potential — regardless of their background or circumstances.”

FULL LIST OF SCHOOLS RECEIVING FUNDING

Bayles Regional Primary School

Berwick Fields Primary School

Boronia K-12 College

Buckley Park College

Cape Clear Primary School

Charles La Trobe College Olympic Village Campus

Chatham Primary School

Chelsea Primary School

Coburg North Primary School

Croxton Special School

Croydon Special Developmental School

Diamond Valley Special Developmental School

Dohertys Creek P-9 College

Drouin Primary School

Eastern Ranges School

Edithvale Primary School

Essendon North Primary School

Footscray North Primary School

Frankston High School

Glenroy West Primary School

Hawthorn West Primary School

Kallista Primary School

Lower plenty Primary School

Mackellar Primary School

Maiden Gully Primary School

Maramba Primary School

Marlborough Primary School

Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College

Mount Pleasant Road Primary School

Mount Waverley North Primary School

Nathalia Primary School

Newport Gardens Primary School

Officer Specialist School

Pascoe Vale North Primary School

Ranfurly Primary School

Seaford Park Primary School

South Gippsland Specialist School

South Melbourne Park Primary School

Stevensville Primary School

Surfside Primary School

Tawonga Primary School

Templestowe Park Primary School

The Basin Primary School

Tyabb Railway Station Primary School

Tyrrell College

Victoria Road Primary School

Yarra Glen Primary

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